"What--what?" said Mabel. "Oh Annie, I am so frightened! I knew quite well that you would get me into an awful scrape about this. What is to be done? Nothing will ever make Aunt Hennie believe that I spent seventy pounds on my dress during my last term at school. I know she is very generous about money, but she is also careful and particular. You will see; I know her so well, Annie; and she will just get into a real passion about this and write to Mrs Lyttelton, and Mrs Lyttelton will go to see Mrs Priestley, and--" "Oh, I know," said Annie, trembling a good deal. "But that must never be allowed." "How are we to manage?" said Mabel. "Annie, we must do something;" and she dropped on her knees by her companion's side and took one of her hands. "You came out here on purpose to help me," she said. "You knew that I should get into trouble, and you said you would find a way out." "Am not I trying to with all my might and main?" said Annie. "Well, but are you succeeding? I cannot see that keeping back that letter means much. Aunt Hennie will expect an answer, and--and--wire for it; she will really, if it does not come within a specified time; and she will give me such a talking to. Why, Annie, if the thing is discovered I shall be sent back to school--I know I shall--at the end of the holidays, and poor Priscie's prospects will be ruined, and--and--you will be disgraced--" "We all three will be disgraced for ever and ever," said Annie; "there is no doubt on that point. That is what makes the thing so terribly important. Something must be done, and at once--at once!" "But, Annie, what?" "I have a little scheme in my head; if you will keep up your courage and help me I believe we shall be successful." "But what is it? Oh, do tell me! Oh, I am so terrified!" "The first thing we must be positive about is this," said Annie: "Priscilla is to know nothing." "Of course not," said Mabel. "Mabel, I do wish we could get her back to England; she is so tiresome and in the way, and I have a great fear in my head about her." "What is that? She is harmless enough, poor thing! Only, of course, she does look such a dowd. But, then, Aunt Henrietta has taken such a fancy to her." "Oh, you are absolutely quite mistaken about that. Your aunt took a fancy to her on the first night because she spoke in rather an original way and, I suppose, looked handsome, which she does occasionally; and your aunt is very easily impressed by anything that she considers rather fine. But I assure you that it is my private opinion that she is sick of Priscilla by this time, and also rather ashamed of her appearance. Priscilla has no tact whatever--simply none. When does she help your aunt? When does she do anything to oblige others? She just flops about and looks so _gauche_ and awkward." "Well, poor thing! she can't help that. With Susan Martin as her dressmaker what chance has she?"